Research 7/7

CV Formatting

1 - contact details(name, number, linkedin, email, website)

2 - academic history

3 - work/work experience (dates, company, skills)

4 - referees (last 2 jobs worth)

1. What is an internship?

• On-site work experience that is directly related to your identified career goals.

• The duration of the internship should be agreed upon in advance and is short-term e.g. 100 hours maximum.

• The emphasis of the internship is on gaining experience and learning to apply skills to a ‘real world’ industry environment which should include the guidance/oversight of a mentor or supervisor.

• Internships can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time.

2. Why complete an internship?

• Gain valuable insights into and experience of your chosen industry.

• Gain a competitive edge for your post art school job hunt.

• Opportunity to “test drive” a selected field and assess potential e.g. do you enjoy the work, hours, culture etc.

• Opportunity to apply skills and knowledge in ‘real world’ environment.

• Formation of valuable professional networks that may support your career aspirations in the future.

3. What do you want to do?

• Why do you want an internship?

• What do you hope to gain from the internship experience?

• What is the level of responsibility you are seeking and why?

• What daily duties would you like to be involved with?

• What skills do you have to offer?

• What personal attributes do you have to offer?

4. Where do you want to do your internship?

• The first step in deciding where or with whom you want to do your internship is researching the field.

• Identify and analyse a number of options.

• Decide if there is a match between the needs of the workplace and what you want to do.

• Investigate who hires interns.

• Network and talk to people who are connected to the field you are interested in.

5. Make contact with people.

• Contact businesses/organisations directly and ask whether they employ interns. Call, send an email, or write a letter.

• If a workplace does not have a formalised internship programme this does not mean you shouldn’t inquire about the potential to undertake one with them.

• Ensure you are prepared with all the information (e.g. your proposal) before you start contacting businesses/organisations so you are in a position to send this to them in a timely fashion.

• Don’t let rejection discourage you or take this personally. The workplace may simply not have a place for you at the time—ask whether they could keep your details on record and notify you if any opportunities become available.

6. What are you proposing?

• Your proposal might target a specific project you are aware of (from your research).

• Your proposal might target a particular position you are aware of (from your research).

• Be as specific as possible so that it is clear what you would like to do and what you have to offer.

• Target your proposal to address the specific opportunity you are seeking.

7. What to include:

• Your proposal should include a clear and concise description of what you offering and how the workplace will benefit.

• Discuss why you are the person to do this for the workplace concerned.

• Include dates of availability and whether you are seeking a part-time or full-time position.

• State whether you are seeking a paid or unpaid position.

• Your proposal should include a CV that details your strengths including academic qualifications/achievements, participation in groups/committees, research experience, work experience and how these experiences translate into skills you can offer the workplace.

8. Where to send your proposal and how to follow up

• You need to ensure your proposal reaches a person who has the power to employ you—so ensure you do your research prior to sending.

• Organisational maps, websites and other associated documentation can help you find the names of these people however if in doubt—ask.

• Follow up with a phone call or an email within a few days of the receipt of your proposal.

• Be persistent but not pushy!

• Thank the workplace for considering you even if they do not wish to employ you. Remember they may think of you again if another opportunity arises.

• Ask if they would be happy to receive another application/proposal from you at a later date.

Cover Letter formatting - Keep to one page

1 - Contact details

2 - Date

3 - Dear name of contact person

4 - Re: Job desc/job listing number/internship dept

5 - Introduction of yourself. 

        - currently a student studying in 2nd year towards a BSA in Gaming at SIT(dont use contractions in actual letter though)

6 - Why you are writing and why you want to work there. (do the research and personalise to their company)

7 - What you can offer the company. (outline relevant skills and experience with specific context)

        - attributes

8 - What you are looking for. (availability, areas of experience, paid/unpaid)

9 - Conclusion. ("CV and portfolio attached")

10 - Thank them for their time and consideration

11 - Yours Sincerely (or Yours Faithfully if you started with To Whom It May Concern, not appropriate in a cover letter)